“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened
in order that you may know
the hope to which he has called you”
(Ephesians 1:18)
Reflection:
God has called us to something and for something which is rich and varied. These are not merely words written on a page but promises from God for us to know, and in which to believe and place our hope and expectation. For above everything God calls us to Himself in and through the reality of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit – who are real gifts from this real God to us as real people in a real and fallen world.
We are called, for example,
- “to belong to Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:6)
- “into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9)
- “to be saints” (Romans 1:7)
- “to be holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
- “to be free” (Galatians 5:13)
- “to peace” (Colossians 3:15)
- “out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9)
In fact we are called to an altogether new life in which we know, love, obey and serve Christ , enjoy fellowship with Him and with each other, and look beyond our present suffering to the glory which will one day be revealed. This is the hope to which God has called us. Paul prays that our eyes will be opened to know it.
Again if it was important enough for Paul to pray for on our behalf then it should form a part of our own prayers as well. We ask the Lord to turn these words from information into a transformation within us – from wishful thinking into a living hope and faith. We can with assurance pray,
Lord,
Enlighten the eyes of my heart
so that I may know
the Hope
to which
You have called me
Response:
Write this into your prayer diary and make it also a regular and ongoing prayer.
———————-
The Soaring Eagle 